Highways England has revealed it is considering safety improvements on the notorious stretch of the M56 between Chester and Runcorn.

The motorway is one of the main arteries for motorists in and around the Chester area.

But the run between junctions 12 and 14 is regularly blighted by serious crashes and route-jamming incidents.

The Chronicle asked Highways England – the Government company tasked with running and maintaining the motorway and major A road network – whether any works are planned to improve safety.

A spokesman responded: “We are considering whether there are any potential safety improvements on the M56 between junctions 12 and 14 that should be included within its forward works programme.

“For example, a scheme to improve the westbound merge at junction 12 is currently being assessed to establish whether it would improve traffic flow and reduce the potential for accidents.

“In addition, we are undertaking work to update our route strategies and may identify further safety improvements for this section of motorway.”

He added that such studies will inform Highways England’s considerations whether to upgrade the M56 to a smart motorway, ‘which would further enhance its safety performance’.

'No resilience' in the network

Chester MP Chris Matheson says it is clear that there is ‘no resilience’ in the road network and has vowed to ‘continue to push’ for work to be done on the M56.

Mr Matheson added that he was in discussion with the Local Enterprise Partnership and the chief constable of Cheshire Constabulary Simon Byrne about improving police camera coverage on the section between junctions 12 and 14.

“I know this is not a long term solution, but it will give the police a better knowledge of what is happening on the motorway so that they can respond quickly to incidents in the future,” he said.

'Serious concerns'

Graham Evans, MP for Weaver Vale, has ‘serious concerns’ about the safety of the stretch, which he says has ‘very little’ electronic signposting to alert drivers to potential hazards ahead.

Mr Evans highlighted the safety implications that the setting sun has on the ‘predominantly east-west motorway’, which he believe makes it ‘extremely difficult’ for drivers to see.

He added: “I have made it known that I will lobby for smart motorway technology, with electronic signposting along this stretch of the M56 to help ensure driver safety.

“The M56, like the new Mersey Gateway bridge, is integral to the Northern Powerhouse and I am committed to securing the best possible infrastructure facilities for the area.”

Tanker on its side in the M56

The motorway was closed between junctions 12 and 14 for more than 12 hours last month when a tanker flipped on its side, leaking the chemical it was carrying on to the carriageway.

Thousands were caught up in the disruption and residents in Helsby, Hapsford, Frodsham and Elton were advised to stay indoors and close their windows.

Three people were taken to hospital complaining of skin irritation and a further five were treated at the scene.

The Chronicle’s sister paper the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News recently launched its Sick of the M56 campaign, which will put pressure on the relevant agencies to complete a thorough study of the road, including driver habits, layout, past inquest reports, crash reports and the masses of anecdotal evidence from motorists.

Do you think improvements need to be made to the M56? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ChesterChron.